Communications Officer US Non-profit Jobs – Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Title:        Communications Officer
Organization: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Duty
Station:
Kampala, Uganda
Reports
to:
Head of Programs
About US:
Catholic Relief Services
(CRS) is an international non-profit organization which implements the
commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and
vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and
operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all
faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to
serving those in need.
Job
Summary:
The CRS Uganda
Communications Officer will be responsible for developing and executing a
marketing plan for the CRS Uganda Country Program, in close collaboration with
CRS’ Head of Programs, management team and program staff. The Communications
Officer will liaise with and manage external consultants in photography,
design, printing and event execution in support of the marketing plan and will
build CRS staff capacity in communications planning and implementation. A
critical element to the job will be CRS’ brand management in Uganda, in line
with guidance and procedures from CRS’ global headquarters in the U.S., which
may include media relations. The Communications Officer is a key member of the
CRS team and will work closely with Program Managers on a variety of
assignments and events, as well as with the Regional Information Officer who
can provide guidance and essential links with HQ’s Marketing and Communications
team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: 
Marketing
Plan:
  • With the Head of Programs, lead CRS Uganda in the development of a
    marketing plan for the Country Program to promote program visibility and
    growth. Where applicable, there may be program sector-specific or
    project-specific marketing plans responding to specific needs and
    opportunities.
  • Take responsibility
    for the execution of the marketing plan in a timely manager, up to
    industry standards and in full compliance with CRS’ policies, procedures
    and guidance documents from CRS Headquarters, in particular from the Marketing
    and Communications Team. Execution of the plan may require liaison with
    and management of contracts with photographers, videographers, designers,
    printers, event organizers and similar service providers among other
    coordination and management duties.
  • Mentor and train senior program staff on key skills and competencies
    necessary to execute the marketing plan effectively and monitor their use
    of these skills, identifying areas for future strengthening.
Communications
Management:
  • Support project staff to craft strategic
    messages about the
    ir
    programs for a variety of targeted audiences and build their capacities at
    utilizing these messages in diverse settings, from meetings and
    publications to events.
  • Serve as the focal point for any social
    media in close collaboration with the Regional Inf
    ormation Officer to feed into a
    centralized agency communication strategy.
  • Keep CRS’ Regional Information Officer,
    based in Nairobi, regularly updated on key communications events,
    programmatic developments, success stories, high-profile visits and the
    similar for onward communication to CRS Headquarters and potentially, the
    U.
    S. Media.
  • Ensure that all project communications are
    appropriate for the country program (CP’s strategy), identity and the
    changing operational environment in Uganda, including, but not limited to
    CRS’ project sites, project documents, video and visual p
    ieces and media-products.
  • Take leadership in ensuring that all project
    communications are consistent with CRS’ branding and publications
    guidelines, global best practice, the donor requirements.
  • Develop high quality monthly newsletters in
    coordination
    with CRS
    staff to communicate CRS work to donors and internally for CRS staff. Help
    conceive creative ideas and direction and working with writers and photographers/graphic
    designers within and outside the country program, including consultants.
  • Support project teams to develop and/or update project fact
    sheets for general communication with a variety of audiences and for
    targeted communication campaigns both in-country and at the Headquarters
    level.
  • Archive photos, videos, fact sheets,
    training materia
    ls and
    other communications documents on CRS’ SharePoint site or other format and
    ensure they are accessible to program staff in a timely way.
Event
Management:
  • Support project teams in the coordination
    and organization of major events for CRS projects
    , including project launches,
    learning events, major donor visits and anniversary events.
  • Work in close collaboration with project
    managers to build partner capacity to organize key partner events and
    communicate with a larger audience.
  • Keep informed of initiatives and
    programmatic directions in the international and national NGO community in
    Uganda.
  • Assist in coordinating Headquarters and
    donor delegations to CRS programs.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
  • The
    ideal candidate for the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Communications
    Officer job placement should hold a Bachelor’s Degree in International
    Development, Journalism or Marketing and Communications.
  • At
    least three years of work experience in media, marketing, public relations
    or journalism, experience working with INGOs or UN preferred.
  • Previous
    exposure and experience in event planning and managing communication
    strategies targeting a variety of audiences.
  • Proven
    organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
    without direct supervisory responsibility.
  • Ability
    to work with stakeholders on multiple levels, including government
    agencies, non-government organizations, donors, media groups, religious
    groups (Catholic, Muslim, etc.) and CRS staff.
  • Excellent
    English writing skills, written and spoken.
  • Effective
    communication and interpersonal skills, team work, good public relations,
    self-driven, problem solving and decision making skills.
  • Highly
    proficient in MS Office applications and desktop publishing skills.
  • Acceptance
    of cultural differences in a continuously changing environment.
  • Mature
    disposition in appropriately managing sensitive situations.
  • Ability
    to work in quickly and efficiently in sensitive and emergency
    environments.
  • Personal
    Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
    Serves with Integrity, Models Stewardship, Cultivates
    Constructive Relationships, Promotes Learning
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and
interested candidates are encouraged to send their cover letters, CVs and three
work references (names and contact information only) to ug_recruitment@crs.org.
Deadline: 17th August 2016
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